Biomechanics of Crosscountry Skiing

SummaryThe mechanics of crosscountry skiing involve a complex interaction between the kinematic characteristics of the movement patterns and the kinetic relationships driving the motion. Crosscountry skiing techniques have been the subject of some biomechanical research, primarily involving the traditional diagonal stride technique. In the 1980s, skiers have developed several new approaches to moving across snow. These skating techniques rely on the generation of force from ski placements at an angle to the forward direction creating propulsive force while the ski slides forward. Biomechanical analysis of the crosscountry techniques has developed from rather simple 2-dimensional kinematic descriptions of diagonal stride to complex measurement of skating forces and 3-dimensional motion. The combined determination of forces and resultant motion has perhaps the most promise for practical application in assessments of equipment and technique. The relationship of the kinematic characteristics of skiing to the forces involved have received preliminary study but substantial gains in understanding will be necessary before approaches to optimising a skier’s technique are plausible.

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